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no saver。 But what I liked worst of Tony was； that he loved to
take his pleasure by himself； and grudged； as men say； every drop
of water that went past his own mill。 I have known him deal with
such measures of wine when he was alone； as I would not have
ventured on with aid of the best toper in Berkshire；that； and
some sway towards superstition； which he had by temperament；
rendered him unworthy the company of a good fellow。 And now he
has earthed himself here； in a den just befitting such a sly fox
as himself。〃
〃May I ask you； Master Lambourne；〃 said Tressilian； 〃since your
old companion's humour jumps so little with your own； wherefore
you are so desirous to renew acquaintance with him？〃
〃And may I ask you； in return； Master Tressilian；〃 answered
Lambourne； 〃wherefore you have shown yourself so desirous to
accompany me on this party？〃
〃I told you my motive；〃 said Tressilian； 〃when I took share in
your wagerit was simple curiosity。〃
〃La you there now！〃 answered Lambourne。 〃See how you civil and
discreet gentlemen think to use us who live by the free exercise
of our wits！ Had I answered your question by saying that it was
simple curiosity which led me to visit my old comrade Anthony
Foster； I warrant you had set it down for an evasion； and a turn
of my trade。 But any answer； I suppose； must serve my turn。〃
〃And wherefore should not bare curiosity；〃 said Tressilian； 〃be a
sufficient reason for my taking this walk with you？〃
〃Oh； content yourself； sir；〃 replied Lambourne； 〃you cannot put
the change on me so easy as you think； for I have lived among the
quick…stirring spirits of the age too long to swallow chaff for
grain。 You are a gentleman of birth and breedingyour bearing
makes it good； of civil habits and fair reputationyour manners
declare it； and my uncle avouches it； and yet you associate
yourself with a sort of scant…of…grace； as men call me； and；
knowing me to be such； you make yourself my companion in a visit
to a man whom you are a stranger toand all out of mere
curiosity； forsooth！ The excuse； if curiously balanced； would be
found to want some scruples of just weight； or so。〃
〃If your suspicions were just；〃 said Tressilian； 〃you have shown
no confidence in me to invite or deserve mine。〃
〃Oh； if that be all；〃 said Lambourne； 〃my motives lie above
water。 While this gold of mine lasts〃taking out his purse；
chucking it into the air； and catching it as it fell〃I will
make it buy pleasure； and when it is out I must have more。 Now；
if this mysterious Lady of the Manorthis fair Lindabrides of
Tony Fire…the…Fagotbe so admirable a piece as men say； why；
there is a chance that she may aid me to melt my nobles into
greats； and； again； if Anthony be so wealthy a chuff as report
speaks him； he may prove the philosopher's stone to me； and
convert my greats into fair rose…nobles again。〃
〃A comfortable proposal truly；〃 said Tressilian； 〃but I see not
what chance there is of accomplishing it。〃
〃Not to…day； or perchance to…morrow；〃 answered Lambourne； 〃I
expect not to catch the old jack till。 I have disposed my
ground…baits handsomely。 But I know something more of his
affairs this morning than I did last night； and I will so use my
knowledge that he shall think it more perfect than it is。 Nay；
without expecting either pleasure or profit； or both； I had not
stepped a stride within this manor； I can tell you； for I promise
you I hold our visit not altogether without risk。But here we
are； and we must make the best on't。〃
While he thus spoke； they had entered a large orchard which
surrounded the house on two sides； though the trees； abandoned by
the care of man； were overgrown and messy； and seemed to bear
little fruit。 Those which had been formerly trained as espaliers
had now resumed their natural mode of growing； and exhibited
grotesque forms； partaking of the original training which they
had received。 The greater part of the ground； which had once
been parterres and flower…gardens； was suffered in like manner to
run to waste； excepting a few patches which had been dug up and
planted with ordinary pot herbs。 Some statues； which had
ornamented the garden in its days of splendour； were now thrown
down from their pedestals and broken in pieces； and a large
summer…house； having a heavy stone front； decorated with carving
representing the life and actions of Samson； was in the same
dilapidated condition。
They had just traversed this garden of the sluggard； and were
within a few steps of the door of the mansion； when Lambourne had
ceased speaking； a circumstance very agreeable to Tressilian； as
it saved him the embarrassment of either commenting upon or
replying to the frank avowal which his companion had just made of
the sentiments and views which induced him to come hither。
Lambourne knocked roundly and boldly at the huge door of the
mansion； observing； at the same time； he had seen a less strong
one upon a county jail。 It was not until they had knocked more
than once that an aged； sour…visaged domestic reconnoitred them
through a small square hole in the door； well secured with bars
of iron； and demanded what they wanted。
〃To speak with Master Foster instantly； on pressing business of
the state；〃 was the ready reply of Michael Lambourne。
〃Methinks you will find difficulty to make that good；〃 said
Tressilian in a whisper to his companion； while the servant went
to carry the message to his master。
〃Tush；〃 replied the adventurer； 〃no soldier would go on were he
always to consider when and how he should come off。 Let us once
obtain entrance； and all will go well enough。〃
In a short time the servant returned； and drawing with a careful
hand both bolt and bar； opened the gate； which admitted them
through an archway into a square court； surrounded by buildings。
Opposite to the arch was another door； which the serving…man in
like manner unlocked； and thus introduced them into a stone…paved
parlour； where there was but little furniture； and that of the
rudest and most ancient fashion。 The windows were tall and
ample； reaching almost to the roof of the room； which was
composed of black oak； those opening to the quadrangle were
obscured by the height of the surrounding buildings； and； as they
were traversed with massive shafts of solid stone…work； and
thickly painted with religious devices； and scenes taken from
Scripture history； by no means admitted light in proportion to
their size； and what did penetrate through them partook of the
dark and gloomy tinge of the stained glass。
Tressilian and his guide had time enough to observe all these
particulars； for they waited some space in the apartment ere the
present master of the mansion at length made his appearance。
Prepared as he was to see an inauspicious and ill…looking person；
the ugliness of Anthony Foster considerably exceeded what
Tressilian had anticipated。 He was of middle stature； built
strongly； but so clumsily as to border on deformity； and to give
all his motions the ungainly awkwardness of a left…legged and
left…handed man。 His hair； in arranging which men at that time；
as at present； were very nice and curious； instead o